wetmore



" UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

J. IY. WETMORE, OF ERIE, PENNSYLYANIA.

LEGISLATIVE VOTING-REGISTER.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 27,753, dated April 3, 1860.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JEROME IV. IVETMorn, of the city and county of Erie, in the State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Taking, Count-ing, and Recording Votes in Legislative Bodies, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which make part of this specieation, and in which- Figure l represents, in perspective, a model of an apparatus for taking votes, embracing my improvements, as it would appear to a spectator in front and on one side of the same. Fig. 2 represents a similar view of the same as it would appear to a spectator in rear and on one side thereof. Fig. 3 represents a plan or top view of the same showing more especially7 the arrangement of the mechanism by which each voter prints his name at the moment of voting. Fig. 4 represents a plan of the under side of the same inverted, showing more particullarly the mechanism by which the printing and balloting mechanisms are operated. Fig. 5 represents a view of one side of the same with the casing of the compartment which contains the balloting and counting mechanisms removed, in order to-show more clearly the arrangement of the parts of the same. Fig. 6 represents a view, in perspective, of the ballot boxes as seen from beneath, showing the arrangement and mode of operation of the slides for releasing the ballots at the proper moment, and Fig. 7 represents a section of the parts shown in Fig. 5, but arranged in a different manner; in order to show some of the various modifications of which my invention is susceptible.

It has long been regarded as a great desideratum to devise some means by which to dispense with the long and tedious process heretofore employed for taking the yeas and nays in legislative or deliberative bodies. T o this end numerous devices have been employed but either from too great complexity of parts, or from a want of adaptation to the purposes for which they were designed, they have all, so far as my knowledge extends, failed to attain practical success.

It is the object of my invention to combine the advantages of the previously existmg machines for accomplishing this purpose while avoiding the defects incident to their construction and mode of operation; and my invention consists First. In arranging the naines of the voters in a series of blocks or types, each one of which moves independently of the others, and is brought in contact with the sheet upon which the name of the voter is to be printed by means of mechanism under the exclusive control of the votor whilst at his seat; by which means any interference with the proper recording of the vote is eftectually prevented. Secondly. In arranging the printing mechanism in such relation to that by which the ballot-balls are released from their boxes, that they shall both be operated simultaneously, and by the movement of the same parts; by which arrangement one acts as a check upon the other. Thirdly. Making ballot-boxes of such capacity as to contain each but one ballot-ball at a time, and providing them with doors, slides, or valves at top and bottom, in order to prevent the passage of more than one ballot-ball at each vote. Fourthly. In constructing ballotboxes with an entrance door, slide, or valve, operated by, and under the exclusive control of the speake clerk, or other proper officer, and an exit door, slide or valve, operated by, and under the exclusive control of the voter himself; thereby providing an important safeguard against fraud. Fifthly. In providing an automatic counting apparatus, operated by clock-work, or its equivalent, to indicate optically the number of votes cast; thereby providing a means by which each person present can see the result of the voting indicated at once, and without the possibility of error. Sixthly. In operating the mechanism of the counting, indicating, or registering apparatus by the fall or passage of the ballot-balls themselves; so that each ballot-ball, as it passes into the receptacle prepared for it, registers itself on the indicator; and thus furnishes an additional test of the accuracy of the other parts of the apparatus. Seventhly. In arranging a printing mechanism, a balloting mechanism, and a counting or registering mechanism in such relation to each other that they are all put in operation by the same movement and each serves as a test of the accuracy of the operation of the others and consequently, of the correctness of the result of the vote.

To accomplish these objects I provide, near the chair of the speaker or president, a closet or chamber to contain the balloting and counting or registering` mechanisms, and near the desk of the clerk or secretary, a box or table to contain the printing or recording mechanism; and connect the said mechanisms with the desk or seat of each member or voter by a system of wires and bell-crank levers, or other suitable means.

The printing or recording mechanism consists of a series of rocking-levers arranged parallel to each other and operating very much like the keys of a piano. One end of each of these levers is connected with a wire or cord leading to the desk or seat of a voter; while the other end carries a block or type containing the name of the voter with whose seat it is connected. The whole series of types or blocks should lie in the same horizontal plane.

The top or lid of the box acts as the platen of a press (except that in this case the types are movable and the platen fixed at A the moment of taking an impression) and should be provided with an elastic cushion on the side next the types to prevent injury Vto them by two violent a concussion against the platen; which latter should be provided with some means for holding the sheet upon which the names of the voters are to be printed.

The ballot-balls are contained in a compartment provided for that purpose near the top of the closet or chamber containing theballoting mechanism. This compartment has a horizontal Hoor with a series of holes in it (there being one hole for each voter) of a size just sufficient to permit a ball to pass. A plate correspondingly perforated slides over this floor in such manner that while in one position its openings correspond with those in the bottom of the compartment, so that a ball might drop through, but while in the other posit-ion the openings are covered and no balls can pass. This plate is operated by a handle under the control of the speaker or other proper oflicer.

A ballot-box is secured beneath each opening in the fioor, and is made of such capacity as to hold but one ball at a time. Each box is provided with a door, slide or valve, at bottom, which is kept closed by a spring and is operated independently of the others, be-

ing connected with the desk of some individual voter by a cord or wire so that the ballot-ball cannot be released except by some one occupying the seat of the voter.

As the balls drop from the boxes they are received upon an apron or floor of leather, or some other suitable substance to deaden the sound; which apron is inclined sufficiently to cause them to run into the mouth of a tube of the same size as the balls, which tube leads into a box provided for the reception of the balls, which in their descent through the tube strike against the bent end of arocking-lever (which projects into the tube through a slot in its side) and forces it out. The other end of this lever carries a detent which acts upon a ratchet-wheel connected with the clock work of the counting or registering mechanism. Vhen the lower end of the rocking-lever is forced outof the tube-as it is by the passage of each ballthe detent is released from the ratchet-wheel and the clockwork is put in action and registers each ball (as it passes through the tube) upon the index-plate.

The accompanying drawings represent a convenient form of apparatus for carrying out my invention; the parts being shown as arranged in a very compact manner. On one side of each desk (A) a sliding-lever or handle (a) is secured. This lever operates the bell-crank lever a to which are connected the wires a2 and b, both being operated by the same pull upon the lever a.

The name of each voter is set up, cast or engraved on one of a series of blocks or types (b3) which types are secured in any suitable manner upon the ends of the rocking-levers 67, which turn upon pivots (b4). These rocking-levers are arranged horizontally and parallel to each other in the table B, so that the upper faces of the types all lie in the same horizontal plane. The outer ends of t-he levers 57, are connected by means of wires (Z), Z22) and bell-cranks (a b) with t-he desks of the voters.

The balloting and counting or registering mechanisms are contained within the chamber C. The ballot-balls are placed in a box (d) the bottom of which is full of openings of just sufficient size to admit the passage of the balls to the ballot-boxes ((Z). A slide (D), moved back and forth by a handle extending Loutside of the chamber C, serves to open or close the entrance of the boxes at will.

The ballot-boxes (d) are each of a size just sufficient to admit one ball at a time, and are open at top and bottom. Ordinarily the bottom or exit door of the box is closed by a slide valve (d2) held in place by a spiral spring (cl3). These slides are shown in Fig. 6, as connected in pairs, but may each be operated independently if preferred. They slide in grooves in the bottoms of the ballot-boxes. Each slide is connected with the desk (A) of a voter by means of the system of wires and bell-cranks a, a', a2, a3, a4, a5, a0. E, is a Hoor, covered with leather, india rubber, or some other material suitable for deadening the sound of the ballots, and inclined in such manner as to conduct the balls into the tube F (which is of a size just sufficient to admit the balls) down which they pass into the drawer I.

The rocking-lever H, is bent at its lower end so as to project into the tube F, a short distance through a slot in its side. This lever is held in place by a spring (L), and its mode of operation will be clearly unl A, El

derstood by a reference to the modifications shown in Fig. 7. The upper end of the lever H forms a pawl which acts upon the ratchetwheel (g) of the registering apparatus (G) and prevents it from moving.

The counting or registering apparatus (G) consists of clock-work operated by a spring or weight and put in motion every time a ball passes through the tube F. in the drawings the movements of an ordinary clock are shown as adapted to this purpose by the removal of the escape-wheel and the third wheel, and substituting a ratchetwheel (g) for the second wheel. Then thus arranged the movements of the long hand through each space on the index-plate would indicate one vote, and thatof the short hand twelve votes, that is, one revolution of the long hand would indicate twelve votes on the index-plate while the same movement of the short hand would indicate one hundred and forty-four votes. It is evident that this arrangement might be varied so that the movements of one might bear any desired proportion to those of the other; but as the details of such arrangement form no part of my invention l deem any further description of them here unnecessary, more especially as they are well known to persons skilled in such matters.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: The ballot-balls being placed in their box (d) and the hand placed rightly on the dial-plate of the register (G) the clerk places a sheet of paper on the under side of the lid (1)6) of the printing-table(B)-where it may be held in place in the manner well known to printers, or in any other suitable way-and having properly inked the types, shuts down the lid and fastens it; when everything is ready for action each voter being in his seat, the. speaker draws out the slide (D) which permits a ballot ball to drop into each box, and then pushes it back to prevent any more from entering (or it may be retracted by a spring) and calls for the yeas. Each. person voting in the affirmative pulls the handle (a) by the side of his desk and, by means of the bell-cranks a, b, and wires b depresses one end of the lever b" which elevates its other end and causes the types b3 to strike the paper on the lid or platen Zi, and imprint the name of each voter thereon. Simultaneously and by the same movement (through the medium of the wires a? the slides cl2 are withdrawn from each box ((Z) and the ballot-balls allowed to fall upon the inclined floor E, and drop through the tube F, each ball, in its turn, forcing out the lever H, (which is instantly thrown back, after the ball has passed, by the spring it) which releases the detent on the upper end of the lever from the tooth of the ratchet-wheel g, with which it was engaged. The clock-work is then put in motion by its spring and moves its indexhands a distance suiiicient to register one vote on the dial plate before it is stopped by the detent engaging the next tooth of the ratchet wheel. This process is repeated until all the balls have passed through the tube F. The dial plate of the register will then indicate the number of votes cast, which result may be verified, if required, by counting the ballot-balls which have passed through the tube F, into the drawer I, and by the reading of the names of the voters by the clerk. from the paper taken from the platen 5"'. The paper being reversed (so that the yeas and nays may be on different sides of the sheet), is replaced on the platen o and the same process repeated for the nays as that used for the yeas.

lf no impression of the names of the voters is wanted the lid may be raised, or the sheet may be omitted, and if an impression is wanted but no ballots are required to be cast, the speaker may omit to draw the slide D; which omission will prevent any ballots from entering the boxes d, in which event the registering mechanism would not be operated.

As the entrance slide D admits the ballots to all the boxes at once; and the exit slides (Z2, act each independently of the other, it will be seen that all possibility of fraudulent voting is prevented; to say nothing` of the mutual checks upon each other furnished by the other parts of the apparatus.

lt is evident that my invention mightl be modied in various various ways without departing from the spirit of my invention which modifications would readily suggest themselves to a skillful mechanician after seeing my invention. Some of these modifications are shown in Fig 7, which represents an arrangement different from that shown in the other figures. The slide D, is shown in this gure as arranged to be operated from the front instead of the side of the chamber. The slides (Z2, may be made to operate in various ways, vertically horizontally or inclined at any desired angle. An arrangement is also shown in this gure, for

.preventing a too rapid and simultaneous rush of the balls through the tube F. This device consists of the wheel J, having blades somewhat like those of a propeller-wheel, the shaft of which wheel mightbe geared to, and operated by the clock work in such manner thatl its rotation would permit one ball only to pass between each blade-or in the present instance-four for each revolution of the wheel. )Vlien this device is employed it will be necessary to provide some means by which to turn the wheel J, enough to permit the first ball of the series to pass to the tube F, and put the clockwork n motion; as, otherwise the balls would be stopped by the wheel.

Only two ballot boxes have been shown in the drawings but it is evident that their number, as well as that of the printing-levers 57, may be increased to any desired extent.

The types may, if preferred be made of the fountain or self-inking kind; that is, each one may contain a supply of ink within its body, to be fed up to its surface by capillary attraction, or in any manner deemed most desirable.

The names of the voters can readily be arranged and retained in alphabetical order, notwithstanding occasional changes in their seats, by making the types removable or by altering the wires from one lever to another; and to facilitate the latter method the disks and wires might be correspondingly numbered. The printing and balloting mechan" isms may be placed in any part of the room deemed most convenient.

The ballot-balls may be made of either metal or hard wood, and covered with leather or some other suitable material to deaden the sound, as should all the other parts of the apparatus over which the ballot balls pass.

' lVhat I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. Arranging the names of the voters in a series of blocks or types each one of which moves independently of the others and is under the exclusive control of the voting member himself, for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination of the printing mechanism with the balloting mechanism, when the two are arranged in such manner as to be operated simultaneously by the same mechanism, for the purpose set forth.

3. Constructing the ballot-boxes of such capacity as to contain but one ballot-ball at a time, when the same are provided with doors, slides, or valves at top and bottom to prevent the entrance or escape of more than one ballot-ball at each vote.

4f. Constructing the ballot-boxes with an entrance door, slide or valve under the control of the speaker or other proper oicer, and an exit door, slide, or valve, operated by, and under the exclusive control of each voter, for the purpose described.

5. An automatic counting or registering apparatus operated by clock-work, or its equivalent, to indicate optically the number of votes cast.

6. The combination of the balloting mechanism with the counting or registering mechanism when arranged in such manner that the latter is operated by the passage of the ballot-balls from their boxes into some suitable receptacle, for the purpose described.

7. The combination of a printing mechanism a balloting mechanism, and a counting or registering mechanism, when the same are arranged for joint operation in such manner that each one serves as a check whereby to ascertain the accuracy of the operation of the others.

J. lV. VVETMORE.

Witnesses:

ALLEN A. CRAIG, F. F. MARSHALL. 

